Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.

JUDGES 8:35KJV
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Judges 8:35 (KJV)

What does Judges 8:35 mean?

Judges 8:35 says that after Gideon (also called Jerubbaal) died, the Israelites did not show loyalty or gratitude to his family, even though Gideon had done much good for them. The verse points out the people’s failure to repay Gideon’s kindness with kindness.

In the story, the Israelites had just been delivered from their enemies through Gideon’s leadership. This verse comes after Gideon’s death and highlights how quickly the people forgot the help they received. The focus is on the lack of "kindness" or faithful love shown to Gideon’s family, despite all the good he had done for Israel.

The Hebrew behind Judges 8:35

  • "Kindness" (חֶסֶד, ḥesed): This word often means steadfast love, loyalty, or covenant faithfulness, not just general kindness. Here, it stresses that the Israelites failed to show ongoing loyalty or gratitude to Gideon’s family.
  • "Goodness" (טוֹבָה, tovah): This word refers to the good deeds or benefits Gideon had given Israel. The verse contrasts the good Gideon did with the lack of good returned to his family.
  • "House" (בַּיִת, bayit): This refers to Gideon’s family or descendants, not just a physical house. The verse is about the treatment of his whole family line, not just Gideon himself.

Why Judges 8:35 matters

  • Judges 8:35 highlights how quickly people can forget past help or leadership, especially after a leader’s death, which is a recurring theme in Judges.
  • The verse sets up the decline in Israel’s faithfulness after Gideon, showing that their gratitude was shallow and short-lived.
  • Understanding the meaning of "ḥesed" (kindness/loyalty) here helps clarify that the issue is not just politeness, but a deeper failure of faithfulness and obligation to those who served them well.

Where else these words appear

“Jerubbaal” Hebrew H3378 · used in 13 verses

  • Judges 6:32 Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.
  • Judges 9:2 Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.
  • Judges 9:24 That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.

“Gideon” Hebrew H1439 · used in 37 verses

  • Judges 6:11 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
  • Judges 7:4 And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.
  • Judges 8:7 And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.